Adjustable rear trailing arms how-to - Page 2 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

MickMc · 03-04-2009, 02:02 PM

It looked like he inserted steel into the end of the square tubing and I saw the plug welds, but the 'criss crossin' part had me confused...

Mick

fixit-p · 03-05-2009, 03:13 PM

Nice job... Do you have any measurements on the trailing arms, my 3/4 ton has leafs so I have no reference to build mine from also did you use 3 x 2 x ?? tube

nuke1 · 03-10-2009, 12:00 AM

Hey guys sorry for the late response. i will show some pics of what i did, these i took after the fact to show you so bear with me.

As for the angle of the arms, i traced them on white borad. i then took a cheap angle finder and made the same angle that the trailing arms were. once i found this i turned it 90 degrees and that created my angle that i had to cut out to bend my arms too. mathematics is what it is. add and subtract.

for the end piece, you are really gonna have to bear with me, i took my threaded rod and welded square stock to it in a cross fashion ( + ), then drilled coresponding holes in arms to then plug weld the stock too. this creates a stronger area than just welding it to the end.

as for the length i will find out and let you know.
If ther are any more questions just ask.

joe231 · 03-10-2009, 04:45 PM

Thanks!!

70 Suburban · 06-13-2009, 08:12 AM

wow that is a nice write up

bmfpeterson · 08-20-2009, 07:47 PM

Definetly a good write up. so good of a write up I built my self a pair!

jjjmm56 · 08-20-2009, 08:58 PM

where did you find that style rod ends?

SCOTI · 08-20-2009, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjjmm56

where did you find that style rod ends?

http://www.ballisticfabrication.com

jjjmm56 · 08-20-2009, 10:39 PM

Man thats a great site. I cant build the stuff for what their selling for. Thanks!

ruffrida2005 · 08-28-2009, 03:20 PM

that's looks good.

bmfpeterson · 08-29-2009, 06:58 PM

maybe I bought the wrong steel, but I am pretty sure mine are heavier than my stock arms......def better looking and stronger (that's what I was going for)

If I remember right the angle was right around 15 degrees I'll measure mine and post what they are....

nuke1 · 08-30-2009, 01:02 PM

And here vi thought this thread was dead, hmm, good to see some ppl can use it, BMFPETERSON you will have to add some pics, i would like to see them, and to let you all know, i drove my truck finally and it handles amazing, i can crank it into a corner and she lays flat and goes, just amazing, not a truck anymore!

bmfpeterson · 10-12-2009, 02:58 PM

Here are a couple pics of what i have built..... I am waiting for a friend to machine the solid stock to slide into the arm and tap it for the hiems joint.

SCOTI · 10-12-2009, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmfpeterson

Here are a couple pics of what i have built..... I am waiting for a friend to machine the solid stock to slide into the arm and tap it for the hiems joint.

Look's good so far!

noonzor · 10-30-2009, 10:54 PM

plan on startin on my set next week here!!! cant wait, so glad you wrote this up.

Thanks Nuke!!

phipp13 · 02-02-2010, 09:08 PM

excellent job on your arms. where did the ballistic joints come from??they are much stronger than origional too. phipp

SCOTI · 02-03-2010, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phipp13

excellent job on your arms. where did the ballistic joints come from??they are much stronger than origional too. phipp

www.ballisticfabrication.com

nuke1 · 02-05-2010, 01:55 AM

wow, i inspired someone, feels kinda good, great job guys, lets see some completed pics of them now.

bmfpeterson · 02-16-2010, 01:55 PM

still waiting to get for my buddy to machine me a bung to slide in the front side...... He's been pretty busy but I got him fired up the other day and he started again hopefully next week I can have them done and ready to weld back together......

lofly'a · 02-16-2010, 08:55 PM

excellent build and write-up needs to be in HOW-TO.

derek6787 · 02-18-2010, 02:51 AM

Very nice! You just got rid of the articulation complaint of a 2 link.

crakarjax · 02-18-2010, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derek6787

Very nice! You just got rid of the articulation complaint of a 2 link.

Can someone explain what this means for those of us who dont know?

SCOTI · 02-18-2010, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crakarjax

Can someone explain what this means for those of us who dont know?

The OE truck-arms use a rubber bushing in the front. The articulation from the stock TA's comes from the I-beam style of constuction, length, & triangulated front mounting position (allowing limited twist) w/the rubber bushings. Substitute poly bushings for the rubber & you limit deflection but increase the possibility of binding.

Make a new aftermarket TA from tubular steel construction & now you've also removed the ability to flex over the length of the TA which again increases the possibility of binding.

The tubular arms offer greater strength & rigidity. Add the pivot-joint style bushing up fromt & you end up w/precise control of the arms movement w/better articulation vs. the less than stellar rubber bushing (pivot joints yeild about 33° of articulation).

**N2TRUX** · 02-18-2010, 10:45 AM

This DIY article is now in our FAQ forum- LINK

DKN · 02-18-2010, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crakarjax

Can someone explain what this means for those of us who dont know?

You get more twist with less effort. This is great if you are building a rock crawler. It is the exact opposite of what a rear sway bar does.

Danny Nix
CPP

03-04-2009, 02:02 PM	#26
MickMc Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 359	Re: Adjustable rear trailing arms how-to It looked like he inserted steel into the end of the square tubing and I saw the plug welds, but the 'criss crossin' part had me confused... Mick

03-05-2009, 03:13 PM	#27
fixit-p Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Yay Area CA Posts: 2,329	Re: Adjustable rear trailing arms how-to Nice job... Do you have any measurements on the trailing arms, my 3/4 ton has leafs so I have no reference to build mine from also did you use 3 x 2 x ?? tube

03-10-2009, 12:00 AM	#28
nuke1 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan,: Posts: 2,901	Re: Adjustable rear trailing arms how-to Hey guys sorry for the late response. i will show some pics of what i did, these i took after the fact to show you so bear with me. As for the angle of the arms, i traced them on white borad. i then took a cheap angle finder and made the same angle that the trailing arms were. once i found this i turned it 90 degrees and that created my angle that i had to cut out to bend my arms too. mathematics is what it is. add and subtract. for the end piece, you are really gonna have to bear with me, i took my threaded rod and welded square stock to it in a cross fashion ( + ), then drilled coresponding holes in arms to then plug weld the stock too. this creates a stronger area than just welding it to the end. as for the length i will find out and let you know. If ther are any more questions just ask. Attached Images __________________ James 1968 GMC "HAVOC" 1986 GMC "Frank" J.J.R.H. Design & Consulting My 68`Rebuild "HAVOC": http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=316300 A 58' chev build thread: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=311238 1969 Camaro Pro Touring http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...61#post3513361 Swiss Cheese: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=384390 Adjustable Trailing Arm How-To: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=321100 1968 Ford Farm Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post6555587

03-10-2009, 04:45 PM	#29
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: Adjustable rear trailing arms how-to Thanks!! __________________ *CHEVY ONLY*

06-13-2009, 08:12 AM	#30
70 Suburban Rods Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Bryan, TX Posts: 1,398	Re: Adjustable rear trailing arms how-to wow that is a nice write up __________________ Just keepin it simple. 1965 C-10 Ext cab build. 350??(Does it count at 2 truck if I had to cut one up?) 1966 C-10 lwb 283 auto 1970 Suburban in pieces 1971 Blazer 4wd....restore someday. all factory CST 1972 Blazer 4wd parts truck still a roller 1972 GMC Sierra Grandee 1998 Chevy ext driver. 2005 F**D the wife drive...(cant fix women)

08-20-2009, 07:47 PM	#31
bmfpeterson Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Queen Creek, AZ Posts: 538	Re: Adjustable rear trailing arms how-to Definetly a good write up. so good of a write up I built my self a pair!

08-20-2009, 08:58 PM	#32
jjjmm56 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: kissimmee Florida Posts: 494	Re: Adjustable rear trailing arms how-to where did you find that style rod ends?

08-20-2009, 10:39 PM	#34
jjjmm56 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: kissimmee Florida Posts: 494	Re: Adjustable rear trailing arms how-to Man thats a great site. I cant build the stuff for what their selling for. Thanks!

08-28-2009, 03:20 PM	#35
ruffrida2005 Member of the longbed union. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Killeen, Tx Posts: 2,158	Re: Adjustable rear trailing arms how-to that's looks good. __________________ Paul 88 GMC Crew Cab dually, 454/T400 64 LWB 400 HP 350/350T Bagged, under construction! Sold most of it! 92 S10 Iron Duke 5 speed, 5/7 drop for now. soon to be bagged. Sold http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...59#post4637759

08-29-2009, 06:58 PM	#36
bmfpeterson Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Queen Creek, AZ Posts: 538	Re: Adjustable rear trailing arms how-to maybe I bought the wrong steel, but I am pretty sure mine are heavier than my stock arms......def better looking and stronger (that's what I was going for) If I remember right the angle was right around 15 degrees I'll measure mine and post what they are....

08-30-2009, 01:02 PM	#37
nuke1 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan,: Posts: 2,901	Re: Adjustable rear trailing arms how-to And here vi thought this thread was dead, hmm, good to see some ppl can use it, BMFPETERSON you will have to add some pics, i would like to see them, and to let you all know, i drove my truck finally and it handles amazing, i can crank it into a corner and she lays flat and goes, just amazing, not a truck anymore! __________________ James 1968 GMC "HAVOC" 1986 GMC "Frank" J.J.R.H. Design & Consulting My 68`Rebuild "HAVOC": http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=316300 A 58' chev build thread: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=311238 1969 Camaro Pro Touring http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...61#post3513361 Swiss Cheese: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=384390 Adjustable Trailing Arm How-To: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=321100 1968 Ford Farm Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post6555587

10-12-2009, 02:58 PM	#38
bmfpeterson Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Queen Creek, AZ Posts: 538	Re: Adjustable rear trailing arms how-to Here are a couple pics of what i have built..... I am waiting for a friend to machine the solid stock to slide into the arm and tap it for the hiems joint. Attached Images

10-30-2009, 10:54 PM	#40
noonzor Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 818	Re: Adjustable rear trailing arms how-to plan on startin on my set next week here!!! cant wait, so glad you wrote this up. Thanks Nuke!! __________________ 69 c10 Shortbox Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=360622

02-02-2010, 09:08 PM	#41
phipp13 THE DAMN YANKEE Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Southern MD Posts: 551	Re: Adjustable rear trailing arms how-to excellent job on your arms. where did the ballistic joints come from??they are much stronger than origional too. phipp

02-05-2010, 01:55 AM	#43
nuke1 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan,: Posts: 2,901	Re: Adjustable rear trailing arms how-to wow, i inspired someone, feels kinda good, great job guys, lets see some completed pics of them now. __________________ James 1968 GMC "HAVOC" 1986 GMC "Frank" J.J.R.H. Design & Consulting My 68`Rebuild "HAVOC": http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=316300 A 58' chev build thread: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=311238 1969 Camaro Pro Touring http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...61#post3513361 Swiss Cheese: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=384390 Adjustable Trailing Arm How-To: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=321100 1968 Ford Farm Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post6555587



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02-16-2010, 01:55 PM	#44
bmfpeterson Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Queen Creek, AZ Posts: 538	Re: Adjustable rear trailing arms how-to still waiting to get for my buddy to machine me a bung to slide in the front side...... He's been pretty busy but I got him fired up the other day and he started again hopefully next week I can have them done and ready to weld back together......

02-16-2010, 08:55 PM	#45
lofly'a Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Alexandria, LA 71301 Posts: 1,450	Re: Adjustable rear trailing arms how-to excellent build and write-up needs to be in HOW-TO. __________________ -02 avalanche (daily driver) -66 gto ragtop 389/400 (garage queen, hand-me-down from dad) -72 Tribute Trans Am (6.0LS/T56 6-speed) in progress -2003 YUKON (Wife's) -71 gmc swb fleet (current project, gonna shave everything, bags, stuff w/ 20's, gen III powertrain) -48 3100 SWB - 12/31/23 LONG TERM Project

02-18-2010, 02:51 AM	#46
derek6787 Backwoods Body Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 146	Re: Adjustable rear trailing arms how-to Very nice! You just got rid of the articulation complaint of a 2 link. __________________ http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...ipics028-1.jpg

02-18-2010, 10:45 AM	#49
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Re: Adjustable rear trailing arms how-to This DIY article is now in our FAQ forum- LINK __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

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